What is Metaxylem?

Metaxylem is the secondary form of xylem that is seen during the later stages of the plant’s life cycle. Metaxylem plays an important role in the later stages of a plant’s life by providing structural support as well as transport of water and minerals throughout the plant’s body. These cells have a comparatively larger diameter than protoxylem. These cells have lignin deposits in their cell wall that result in the formation of rigid tracheids, and vessel elements.

Difference between Protoxylem and Metaxylem

The difference between protoxylem and metaxylem lies in their developmental stages within the plant’s vascular system. Protoxylem and metaxylem are types of plant tissues that help in transport as well as growth in plants. The protoxylem is the primary xylem that develops during the early stages of a plant’s development whereas the metaxylem is later formed xylem in mature plants.

Both of these forms are of xylem tissue that is mainly responsible for the conduction of water and minerals in the plant. In this article, we will differentiate between protoxylem and metaxylem and also discuss some similarities as well.

Table of Content

  • What is Protoxylem?
  • Features of Protoxylem
  • What is Metaxylem?
  • Features of Metaxylem
  • Difference Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem
  • Similarities Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem
  • Conclusion – Difference Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem
  • Difference Between Related Links
  • FAQs – Difference Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem

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What is Protoxylem?

Protoxylem is the primary form of xylem that is seen in plants during their early stage of growth. It forms the foundation of the xylem system of vascular plants. The xylem is a component of vascular tissues that are responsible for the transport of water and minerals. The characteristic feature of protoxylem is its smaller diameter and thinner cell walls. When plants mature the protoxylem further differentiates to give rise to tracheids, and vessel elements due to the deposition of lignin....

Features of Protoxylem

Some of the characteristic features of protoxylem are:...

What is Metaxylem?

Metaxylem is the secondary form of xylem that is seen during the later stages of the plant’s life cycle. Metaxylem plays an important role in the later stages of a plant’s life by providing structural support as well as transport of water and minerals throughout the plant’s body. These cells have a comparatively larger diameter than protoxylem. These cells have lignin deposits in their cell wall that result in the formation of rigid tracheids, and vessel elements....

Features of Metaxylem

Some of the most common features of metaxylem are;...

Difference Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem

Some of the differences between protoxylem and metaxylem are given below:...

Similarities Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem

Some of the most common similarities between protoxylem and metaxylem are:...

Conclusion – Difference Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem

In conclusion, protoxylem and metaxylem represent distinct stages in the development of xylem tissue within plants. Protoxylem emerges early in the plant’s growth, characterized by smaller diameter and thinner cell walls, while metaxylem appears later, featuring larger diameter and thicker cell walls due to lignin deposition. Both types of xylem play crucial roles in water and mineral transport, with protoxylem maturing before other plant organs and metaxylem forming later, towards the outer region of the vascular bundle. Despite the many differences between protoxylem and metaxylem, they share some similarities as well....

Difference Between Related Links

Difference Between Xylem And Phloem Difference Between Cytosol And Cytoplasm Difference Between Cell Membrane And Cell Wall Difference Between Photosynthesis And Respiration Difference Between Tracheids And Vessels Difference Between Open and Closed Mitosis Difference between Dicot and Monocot Root Difference Between Osmotic Pressure and Oncotic Pressure Difference Between Embryo Sac and Endosperm Difference Between Food Chain and Food Web...

FAQs – Difference Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem

What is the Difference Between Protoxylem and Metaxylem in Terms of Types of Secondary Wall Thickenings?...

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